Rep. Jay Fant to launch campaign for attorney general Tuesday

Monday

May 8, 2017 at 12:06 PM

Tia Mitchell

TALLAHASSEE | Rep. Jay Fant will launch his bid to become Florida’s next attorney general with a statewide tour that begins Tuesday in the capital city.

From there, Fant plans to travel to Orlando and Tampa before ending the day in Jacksonville, his home town. He is the first Republican to file paperwork in what could be a crowded field to replace Attorney General Pam Bondi, who cannot run in 2018 because of term limits.

Fant, who was elected to the Legislature in 2014, owns a financial services company and is a former banker, although he does have a law degree from the University of Florida. He said the role of attorney general would allow him to exert greater influence in protecting state and federal laws.

"Defending the Constitution and enforcing the rule of law is something that can keep me up at night and get me out of bed in the morning," Fant said Monday. "The Legislature has been a wonderful experience, but I’m more of someone who likes to administer public policy for an organization, as opposed to standing on the soapbox and screaming all the time, which is what we have to do in the Legislature."

Fant is married with four children — two girls and two boys — ranging ages 9 to 17. The family lives in Riverside.

His priorities as attorney general would be protecting consumers from business scams and government interference, as well as advocating for the law enforcement community.

"Culturally, there seems to be a lot of pop culture bent against law enforcement, kind of neo-1960s dismissal of our law enforcement people," he said. "I think that’s a harmful trend, and I hate to see people go after our guys and girls in the blue."

Fant said any bad actors in law enforcement should be weeded out, but he believes that should be left up to the state attorneys to investigate allegations of police misconduct.

He expressed admiration for Bondi and said his administration would play out as an extension hers if Florida voters elect him to the role.

"Overall, the state seems to favor Pam and what she’s done," Fant said. "I think she’s brought a nice visibility to the role."

Fant’s decision means Northeast Florida will have an open House seat in 2018. Duval County Tax Collector Michael Corrigan, who himself is facing term limits in 2019, said he is considering running for the seat.

Corrigan’s district when he was a member of the Jacksonville City Council is similar to the one Fant now represents.

Tia Michell: (850) 933-1321

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Florida Times-Union ~ 1 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service